Nintendo Switch won’t have many multimedia functions like Netflix at launch

Since the Wii, Nintendo has made it clear that its consoles are first and foremost dedicated gaming consoles and it's taken the same approach to with the Nintendo Switch. Even so, the Wii U still had a number of streaming and video apps including Netflix, Amazon Video and Crunchyroll. However, according to Nintendo America's Kit Ellis (via Business Insider), the Switch won't include "many multimedia functions at launch", after reiterating the "gaming first" mantra.

This isn't the first time this concern has surfaced. Recently, a NeoGaf user got in touch with Netflix customer support and asked whether the Switch would support Netflix, to which they responded "at this time it doesn't support Netflix, however we are taking feedback regarding this".

It's still possible that Netflix compatibility is in the pipeline and hasn't been communicated internally (the console is still over a month from release). Also, these things take time. Local streaming service Stan only popped up on Xbox One in January 2016, a full year after the streaming service's launch.

That said, it would be incredibly disappointing if it were the case. Despite a slightly clunky UI, the Wii U was a pretty nifty multimedia hub. Being able to select TV shows and movies from the controller's display is a sensible application of the device's second display.

Kit Ellis' quote also raises more questions: Will the Switch even have YouTube? Will it act as a universal TV remote in the same way as the Wii U?

I mean, you're going to want something to do with your fancy new console once you've burnt through all five launch games.

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